Wpływ smogu (zanieczyszczonego powietrza) na choroby układu sercowo-naczyniowego

Abstract

It has been known for several decades that smog (air pollution) significantly increases the mortality of people exposed to its inhalation. However, only relatively recently has it been shown that this mortality is associated not only with respiratory diseases, but also to a large extent with cardiovascular diseases. Air pollution is caused by dust particles of 0.1 μ m to 10 μ m and gases such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and ozone. It has been shown that an increase in dust concentration (especially PM 2.5 ) is responsible for an increased risk of ischaemic heart disease and (together with the above gases) of heart failure. Air pollution can also increase insulin resistance and the incidence of type II diabetes. It is suspected that an increase in inflammation and oxidative stress, as well as higher blood pressure resulting from air pollution, may be responsible for cardiovascular diseases in people at risk of inhaling this air.